shiftR111 2.0 Developments

We started working on a new version of the shiftR111 last year to help address a few market demands. The biggest being the cost increases that we have been facing these last couple of years. We first introduced the shiftR111 in 2016.  Itt has been a success making the shifting a true joy on the Elise, Exige and Evoras.   Of course for some owners of these cars, it was a great alternative to the broken blue pivot ball in their stock cars.

 We had made small iterative improvements to the original design over the years but this is a much larger change. We believe this solution should perform as well as the original but fit better into the stock center console.   Overall we attempted to employ the KISS principle with this design!

 We have a partially 3D printed prototype that we will test fit this week. If this goes well, we will produce a working proto that we can actually take on the road & track to test. 

Several design changes have already been made to the kit to reach this stage. Reduced parts will help get our costs down and will shorten assembly time for us as well.  An obvious change that you can see from these pictures is the deletion of the reverse lock-out cable.  This design should also aid in better clearance with those leather wrapped center consoles.

Producing a RHD version is high on our list of priorities.  We intend to make that happen soon after releasing the LHD this Spring.

Stay posted for updates.

2022 Year-End Summary & 2023 Projections

2022 has been an exciting year with two steps forward and then one step backwards thanks to the recession!  My 2022 projections, written one year ago, have been partially realized.  I think this is how life works – you achieve some goals while others can be elusive.  In the end, the dogged pursuit keeps us all hungry and active.

My proudest moment in 2022 is the completion of two 111RS cars.  We have not taken our eyes off the lightweight sportscar ball.  These two cars featured the best that we had to offer and transformed tired old cars into stellar performers.  Giving these cars a new lease on life is our goal so that we continue to see them being enjoyed on the road and track.

Parts

KATANA3 testing at the HillClimb

Our parts development included progress on the KATANA3.  Our tuning partner, Brent, has made strides into these ECUs that are now market-leading.  Our control over them has given us the fine-tuning ability to chase CARB approval.  We have started the paperwork process to get this underway.  Brent’s efforts into tuning Evora GTs have also been enjoyed by clients all around North America.  

Hot testing 2ZZGEs

Another major advancement this year was the implementation of Hot Engine testing at Mountune.  We took some lumps without this capability, and I am glad that it is now in place.  All engines we build will be run on this rig to ensure they ship without issue.  I’m not aware of anyone else in the world that can offer this quality check on a built 2ZZGE engine.

We spent a fair amount of time working on new products including LED headlights, upright development, wheel improvements, Emira merch and more.  Funny thing; we probably spent as much time on our Lotus Boneyard which helped save more than one crashed Lotus.  Since certain parts are no longer available, we are glad to have a small stash of used parts.  

Service + Collision

We repaired and revitalized dozens of cars this year.  Many of them local but a few from out of state.  Some of these cars needed basic maintenance while others required a complete overhaul.  Carlos Lewis rejoined our team in 2022 after a two-year sojourn working on exotics.  We’re glad to have him back working on our niche vehicles.  Carlos had a hand in building one of the race Lotus we completed this year (pictured below).

Niche Cars

This market is a turbulent one with spotty timing on car deliveries.  Supply chain challenges have vexed nearly all the brands we work with including Lotus, Ariel and more.  I am hoping to see an Atom4 in the next couple of months that we had ordered for a good client two years ago.  This car is expected to be a major step forward from the previous generation.  Lotus Emiras are delayed, but I think they should be coming to North America by mid-2023.  I think they will provide a much-needed boost in interest in the brand until their EVs become available.

We’ve finally begun building a new Drakan.  We helped sell a couple of used Drakans this year.  We continue to field interest from potential buyers keen for a V8-powered, pure and simple sportscar.    Heck, even Matt Farah was inquiring when I would have the next one ready!  

Events & More

WCLM with Robin Shute

We hosted several fun events in 2022 including a Wine Run, Engine Build Tech Seminar, a couple of Track Events, and the pinnacle – WCLM Palomar Mountain Hillclimb!  We were the title sponsor of this epic race that proved to be one of the best Lotus events of the year. 

We lost a very cool guy, Robert Konick, in late 2022.  Robert was especially active during the early Elise community and helped champion getting Laser Blue as a color option.   He was a truly nice man and Lotus enthusiast.  I will miss his enthusiasm, friendship, and the conversations we shared about this market.

2023 Projections

Inflation and recessionary fears have negatively impacted us all so we will enter 2023 in a cautious manner.  We are working on some new ideas to reduce costs on some of our beloved parts.  ETHOS wheels are expected any day.  These wheels are an excellent value and welcome in today’s financially-strained market.  We introduced these wheels during the last recession so the timing on this batch is fitting.

tech notes from '03

I first started investigating parts for my pending Elise in 2003.  It has been 20 years since I officially began this odyssey chasing improvements for Lotus and other light cars.  We plan to celebrate this milestone with some special products including the ultraMONOlite wheels.  We know many of you love the Sector111 brand, so we will relaunch it as a Lotus-specific parts brand to celebrate the class-leading products that we have introduced over the course of these many years.   

I believe that niche sportscars will benefit from the ICE ban that is expected in 2035.  Those of us who love driving will still be interested in cars that are powered conventionally.  We plan to build another couple of 111RS - in 2023.  Drakan supply chain will get jump started to see if building these loved cars is also viable.    

Race Exige Build

We plan to host more events, including some near to you.  I plan to jump on a plane and fly out to various dealers and co-host some Meet & Greets.  I’ve always loved hanging out with our community, and I think that 2023 is the year for me to fly out and see you.

Have a great New Years, and I hope to see you in 2023!

Cheers,

Shinoo

ETHOS back on for some canyon carving...

Elise Outlaw Canyon Testing + Boxster Comparison

 A fellow Elise owner from OR was in town this weekend so we met up on Monday for some canyon carving.  He rented a '13 Boxster.  We drove some of my favorite canyons including DeLuz.  This road is made for a Lotus - especially Elise/Exige.  The road variety on offer to challenge a driver is plentiful - tight, fast sweepers, off camber, elevation change, blind crests, broken pavement and more.  It is a great road and one that I often use for R&D when we can't get to the track.

My current Outlaw Elise is a 111RS test mule that is running most of our upgrades.  The KATANA3 is the key bit that is still getting shook down on this car.  We had to swap out O2 sensors and the cat to address a niggling code that kept popping up.  It seems these changes have worked.  The car is sporting Racetech SCCA with soft 250/350lb springs coupled with the DNA front and rear swaybars.  FASTarms are also on this car.  Plus we swapped out the stellaCORSEs wheels for the 15/16 ETHOS + RA1s.

It has been a long time since I drove a Boxster and fortunately this one was a 6spd.  The gear changes were actually nice.  This car had 90k miles on it but it was still rattle free.  Ergonomics were fine for me but you really feel the size of the car and the weight.  The styling is still looking good to me.  This car was wrapped in an olive green with a nice red interior.

You can clearly see why Porsche have such a broad client base.  The Boxster is fun through these roads but remains very civil.  It is hard to argue with practicality of a convertible that also has some luggage space.  Honestly, it is a GT and not a pure sports car in my eyes.  Too cush for my taste.  Though I wouldn't hesitate to take the car on a long road trip.

I think a better comparison would be against the Evora/Emira.  I do think the Evora is more engaging than the Porsche so I suspect the Emira will be as well.  Of course, both of these larger Lotus are better GTs than the 111 ever will be.  I think for those of us who are still in love with the feel and engagement of driving, a Lotus is the choice. 

For the roads we were strafing, the Outlaw was the better tool.  It is far more engaging with instant handling response and power that is plentiful.  The torque from the KATANA3 is noticeable and keeps the car on a searing pace.  The small size of the Elise gives it additional advantage over the Porsche - you can easily thread the needle on these narrow roads.  I truly appreciate the soft springs + swaybars on rough segments more and more.

Mountune Built 2ZZGE: Hot Test & Break-in

 We're excited to announce that Mountune have built a test fixture to allow them to hot test the 2ZZGE engines that they are building for us.  They are not yet ready to do a full power test but can bring the engines up to temp and do a basic break in process. This will ensure the engines we ship out are running properly.

Currently they are using an engine harness from a Matrix with the plan to eventually set up the testing using a Motec or some other stand alone ECU.  This would allow them to complete a wide range of testing. 

Wheel Weight: Rota & Factory S260

 We try to measure every wheel we get our hands on to compare to our own.  We recently came into possession of a couple of wheel sets that we have not seen before sans tires.  I took the opportunity to weigh them.  See below:

• Rota Slipstream wheels - Cast
• 16x6.5ET26 = 13.85lbs
• 17x7.5ET32 = 19.1lbs

•  Factory Exige S260 - Forged
• 16x7 = 12.8lbs
• 17x8 = 17.5lbs

For reference:

• ETHOS - Low Pressure Cast
• 16x7 ET27 = 13.15lb
• 17x8 ET35 = 17.25lbs
• RS134 Monolites - Forged
• 16x7 ET25 = 11.25lbs
• 17x8 ET32 = 13.25lbs

KATANA3 Developments

 We have been running with the KATANA3 kit on our 111RS test mule for the last couple of months.  Brent, our calibrator, has been out for the last couple of weeks fine tuning.  It is running nicely so we decided to run it at the Palomar HillClimb that was organize during this years West Coast Lotus Meet.  

This video is me Running Up That Hill...

We were the headline sponsor of the event and provided support from our team to make the event a great success.  It made for a very long day (starting at 3:30am!) but it was a fun event and the first time it had ever been run.

Cars lined up after running up the Hill

Brent and I paid a visit to SEMA to meet their emissions lab personnel.  We toured their facility and came away fully impressed with their support to the aftermarket.  We have also engaged a small company with engineers who assist companies like ours with the CARB process.  They offer full testing so we are even more committed to chase the EO# that would really help our KATANA3 product.

One thing we learned is that getting a KATANA3 upgrade for K1 or K2 owners is possible in this application.  Based on how well the K3 is running, we are certain several client will want to upgrade.

1111RS at WCLM Concours

 

Trailered to the show on Coronado Island

Looking mighty splendid on the lawn

'Custom' vanity plate affixed

111key in position

111RS decal is billboard-like

111RS Build Interior, Exterior & More

 The final stages of any build can be time consuming.  The CF seats coupled with the stock 3pt and 6pt Schroth harness gives the client options - street or track.

Our client opted for our new customized steering wheel that has carbon on the rim along with alcantara grips, silver stitching and a silver stripe at 12 o'clock.  It adds the right amount of cool to the interior.  

We painted the HVAC surround black to banish any of that cheap-looking grey plastic from the interior.  The shiftR111 was left exposed.

We installed some 111RS and LOTUS graphics onto the car.  We got our good friend, Lee to come in and detail her to get ready for the WCLM Concours.

Loading her up for the WCLM Concours

111RS Fitting Bodywork and Interior

 The 111RS build has reached the point where more cosmetic components need installation.  As many of you know, the bodywork on the Elise/Exige simply hang on the chassis.  These parts are essentially cosmetic and not structural.  This car had body work done to the clams previously, so fitting them took some extra effort.  We've also started installing the interior.

Fitting the rear clam

Front clam fitment took some TLC

ReVerie side scoops were added for some added airflow and style.  These scoops are made with prepreg carbon fiber and then autoclaved.  This results in the lightest and stiffest combination.  A 5 element rear diffuser is also on tap for this car from them.  It is my favorite but does require an above diffuser muffler like our sonicFURY. as there is no hole for a muffler tip.

Seat pads to be fitted later

The interior is getting our CF Big Botom seats for ultimate comfort plus compatibility with 3pt stock belts and racing harnesses.  These seats were originally patterned after my '06 Exige.  I took the brand new seat from my Exige and handed them to our supplier to make these seats - but with one requirement.  Reshape the bottom to accommodate larger backsides and sits marginally lower for a bit more headroom.   The stock seats are notorious for cutting off blood circulation on the legs of bigger drivers.  This seat fixes that problem and has kept more than one client from selling his beloved Lotus!  We made sure they would bolt to the factory seat rails as well.  They look great as well -  especially with alcantara pads.

Our trusty V-Force Harness-bar is in place

Tail lights in place